Simplified security device

ABSTRACT

A security device for releasably coupling a coin mechanism to a coin receptacle while obviating the problem of pilferage by routemen in which the interior of an upper housing secured to the coin mechanism carries a stationary key adapted to engage a pick resistant cylinder lock carried by an intermediate coin passage forming member and to actuate the lock upon relative movement of interengageable means carried by the upper housing and by a lower housing which is secured to the coin receptacle and which receives the intermediate member to move a plate carried by the cylinder lock shaft from a first position at which it both blocks the coin passage and secures the intermediate member to the lower housing and a second position at which the coin passage is open to permit coins to pass from the coin mechanism through the security device to the coin receptacle and at which second position the lower housing is unlocked from the intermediate member while being clamped between the two housings by the interengageable means. An auxiliary lock is provided for securing the interengageable means in engaged position.

United StatesPatent [191 Nitschneider Apr. 30, 1974 SIMPLIFIED SECURITY DEVICE [75] inventor: Robert M. Nitschneider, Cary, Ill. [57] ABSTRACT [7 3] Assignee: Reynolds Products lnc., A security device for releasably coupling a coin mech- Schaumburg, lll. anism to a coin receptacle while obviating the prob- [22] Filed: M at. 22, 1972 lem of pilferage by routemen in wh ch the interior of an upper housing secured to the com mechanism car- [21] Appl. No.: 237,145 ries a stationary key adapted to engage a pick resistant cylinder lock carried by an intermediate coin passage [52 us. c1. 232/15, 232/66 fommg and actuate the "flame movement of mterengageable means carrled by the [51] Int. Cl. G07b 15/00 upper housing and by a lower housing which is [58] Field of Search 232/15, 16, 66 cured to the coin receptacle and which receives the intermediate member to move a plate carried by the [56] References cylinder lock shaft from a first position at which it UNITED STATES PATENTS both blocks the coin passage and secures-the intermel,983,089 12/1934 Knee 232/15 diat e ber to the lower housing and a second posiggii'gfi EL 'FT tion at which the coin passage is open to permit coins l'lS ensen 3,677,461 7/1972 Nitschneider 232 15 to P from mechamsm thwugh the secumy 416 915 12/1889 H device to the com receptacle and at which second poeck 232/16 604 527 5/1898 Fuchs I 232,16 s1t1on the lower housmg is unlocked from the interme- 2,524:907 10/1950 Harris 232 15 1 diam member While being d p between the two 431,431 7/1390 housings by the interengageable means. An auxiliary Berne 232/15 lock is provided for securing the interengageable means in engaged position.

. 11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAT TED

m0 as SHEET lb 0F 4 SIMPLIFIED SECURITY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In coin operated merchandising machines coins deposited in the machine prior to making a selection pass through a slug rejector to a coin totalizer which registers a credit corresponding to the sum in coins deposited in the machine. When a purchase is made the coins are accepted and permitted to pass to a suitable recep- 1 tacle such as a coin bag or a coin box or the like.

In servicing a coin operated merchandising machine the routemen periodically visit the location, replenish the supply of merchandise and collect the money which had been accepted in the machine. In some instances, different individuals may collect the coin receptacles and replenish the supply of merchandise.

A serious problem inthe industry has arisen owing to pilferage of coins by the persons collecting money from the machines. That is, dishonest individuals have removed portions of the money collected before turning the money in to the home office. Moreover, this is accomplis'hed without damage to any of the parts of the machine by persons who have access to the interior of the cabinet. It is not an easy matter to pinpoint the source of such losses. First, a number of different individuals may be collecting money from the same machine. Secondly, depending upon the goods which are sold in the machine, it is a more or less difficult problem of accounting in order to correlate the articles or the like sold with the amount of money collected.

Various systems have been proposed in the prior art for overcoming the problem outlined above. For example, it has been suggested that an assembly be provided comprising a normally closed opening on the mouth of the coin bag or coin receptacle which opening is unblocked as the coin receptacle is assembled on the coin mechanism and which is again blocked when the receptacle is removed from the coin mechanism, so that the routeman always is carrying a closed coin receptacle, whether ir be full or empty. Stated otherwise, the person servicing the machine is provided with a normally locked empty coin receptacle. In order to collect the.

money from a particular machine, he removes the full receptacle, the mouth of which automatically closes as it is removed. He then assembles the empty receptacle on the coin mechanism and in so doing, opens the mouth of the replacement receptacle. l-Ie returns the locked full receptacle to the main office whereat the receptacle is opened by use of a key which is not accessible to the routeman. In this way, a person collecting coin. receptacles cannot gain access to coins therein without damaging the receptacle in some way which would make his guilt apparent.

While systems of the prior art for achieving the result outlined above have been more or less successful, all of them are relatively complicated and are expensive to manufacture.

I have invented a security device for a coin mechanism which prevents a collector from gaining access to a coin receptacle without damaging the parts thereof. My security device is simpler in operation than are security devices of the prior art. It is less expensive to construct than are devices of the prior art. It is certain in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of my invention is to provide a security device for a merchandising machine which prevents a routeman from gaining access to the interior of the coin receptacle without damaging the structure thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a security device for merchandising machines which is simpler in operation than are security devices of the prior 0 art.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a security device for a merchandising machine which is less expensive to construct than are security devices of the prior art.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a security device for a merchandising machine which is certain in operation.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear in the following description.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of a security device for releasably coupling a coin mechanism to a coin receptacle while preventing pilferage in which an upper. housing secured to the coin mechanism carries a fixed key adapted to engage and to operate a pick resistant lock carried by an intermediate coin passage-forming member as interengageable means on a lower housing and the upper housing are engaged to cause the lock to rotate a plate from a first position at which it both locks the intermediate member to the lower housing and blocks a coin passage to a second position at which the lower housing is unlocked and the coin passage is open with the upper and lower housings being held together by the interengageable means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. I is a schematic 'view illustrating my simplified security device with a coin receptacle coupled to a coin mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating my simplified security device with the coin receptacle separated from the coin mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of my simplified security device taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of my simplified security device taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of my simplified security device taken along the'line 5 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectionalview of my simplified security device taken along the line 6 -6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of my simplified security device.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another portion of my simplified security device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a coin mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 10 of any suitable type known to the art has an inlet 12 and a lever 14 adapted to be operated in a manner known to the art to return coins to the customer in the event he changes his mind about making a purchase. Coins deposited in the inlet 12 are adapted to pass through the mechanism and to be collected ina coin receptacle such as a coin bag assembly 16 or a box or the like when a purchase is made.

My security device, indicated generally by the reference character 18, is adapted releasably to couple the coin mechanism 10 to the receptacle 16 in such a way that coins can pass'from the register to the receptacle when the receptacle is assembled on the mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 and toprevent access to the receptacle 16 after it has been removed from the register 10 as shown in FIG. 2. My security device 18 includes an upper. housing 20 provided with a recess 22 at the top thereof for receiving a mounting plate24 secured to the housing by any suitable means such as by rivets 26.

A key 28 secured to plate 24 is adapted to operate a tamperproof lock indicated generally by the reference character 30. Key 28 comprises'a tubular portion having circumferentially spaced axially extending recesses for actuating the lock members to release the lock. The lock 30 and its associated key 28 may, for example, be of a type manufactured by the Chicago Lock Company of Chicago, Illinois and sold under the Trademark Acefsince'the key and lock per se do not form part of my invention, they will notbe described in greater detail than is necessary for an understanding of my invention.

I 1 form housing 20 with a sub-housing 32 at one side thereof for receiving an ordinary cylinder lock 34 adapted to be operated to move a dog 36 from the broken line position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the full line position shown therein for a reason which will be described in detail hereinbelow. The lower portion of the housing 20 carries a pair or more of diametrically matching radially inwardly extending ledges or similar type of support such as pins 38 and 40. I form the upper end of housing 20 with a coin inlet 42 through which coins pass from the coin mechanism 10 into the housing 20. l secure housing 20' to the coin mechanism 10 by any suitable permanent securing means such as rivets.(not.shown) with the inlet 42 registering with the outlet of the coin mechanism 10. Housing 20 is so fastened to the mechanism 10 that it cannot readily be removed therefrom without destroying the fastening means, thus to prevent removal of the security device from the coin mechanism, and replacement thereon without detection.

My security device includes an intermediate coin passage-forming member 44 having an external tapered 'boss 46 adapted to cooperate with a tapered interior shoulder 48 of housing 20 when the parts are assembled in a manner to be described. 1 form the boss 46 with appropriately located slots such as 50 and 52 to permit the passage of matching ledges or pins such as 38 and past the boss 46 as the parts are assembled.

a stop 74 formed on the cylinder 60 to limit rotary movement of the shaft relative to the cylinder to 90'. A holding device such as nut screwed onto shaft 76 holds a locking and blocking plate 78 on the shaft 76 for rotation therewith. A coin passage 82 in member 44 registers with the inlet 42 in housing 20 when the parts are in operating position.

1 shape intermediate member '44 to provide. its outer surface with flats 84 and 86 at locations spaced appropriately around the periphery of the intermediate member. My security device includes a lower housing 88 the outer surface of which is provided with slots 90 and 92 or more, each extending over about 90, for cooperation with pins 38 and 40 or similar ledge in a manner to be described. Respective internal bosses 94 and 96 in the lower housing 88 extend from the top thereof partially downthe length of housing 88 as viewed in FIG. 4. These bosses 94 and 96 provide respective axially extending flats 98 and 100 in the interior surface of lower housing 88. 1 space flats 98 and 100 appropriately for cooperation with flats 84 and 86 as the parts are assembled in a manner to be described. Owing to the fact that the two pairs of flats are spaced by other than 180, the parts can only be assembled in the correct relative positions thereof. Bosses 94 and 96 extend downwardly from the top of lower housing 88 to a location above the base thereof to provide shoulders 102 and 104 which cooperate with plate 78 in one position thereof to lock the housing 88 to intermediate member 44. Preferably the lower housing 88 has a flange 106 at its lower end to which the bag 16 or the like can be secured in such a way as to prevent its removal without detection. 1 form plate 78with flats 108 and-.110 spaced appropriately around the periphery thereof and with a cutout 112 which in one'position of the plate registers with slot 82. Lower housing 88 is provided with a lateral extension 116 which registers with sub-housing 32 when the bag is assembled on the coin mechanism so that a slot 114 therein is in a position at which it receives the endjof dog 36 when lock 34 is operated.

' in use of my security device 18 the upper housing 20 is secured to the coin mechanism 10 in a position at which inlet 42 is adapted to receive coins passing out of the coin mechanism. Each coin receptacle orbag assembly 16 which is to be used to collect coins carries the lower housing 88 which is secured to the bag by means of retaining ring 117 which is snapped into the ring retainer 118 on the coin receptacle or bag assembly 16; The coin receptacle is then forced over surface 119 which expands retaining ring 117 into ring retainer 118.v Once the coin receptacle has been pushed up to its limit on the lower housing 88 the retaining ring 117 will spring into the ringretaining groove 120 provided, thus permanently mounting the coin receptacle to the lower housing. I v

In operation of my security device, at the home office the intermediate member 44 is applied to the lower housing 88 by bringing the pairs of flats 84 and 86 and 94 and 96 into registry and slipping the lower portion of member 44 into the housing 88. In this relative position of the parts the two slots 50 and 52 in flange 46 register with the inlets to the two slots 90 and 92. in FIG. 7, 1 have shown an exploded perspective view of the assembly. in this view, however, for purposes of clarity the parts have been shown in various relative positions other than those which they occupy when the parts are assembled.

After the lower portion of member 44 has been inserted in the lower housing 88 at the main offices, the individual having charge of the key for operating lock 30 actuates the lock to rotate the shutter plate 78 to a position at which the coin passage 82 is blocked and the parts of the plate cooperate with the shoulders 102 and 104 to retain the intermediate member secured to the lower housing. This relative position of the parts is illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 5.

Next, the coin bag assembly 16 or other receptacle carrying the assembly of the intermediate member 44 and the lower housing 88 with the coin slot blocked is given to the routeman.

Upon his arrival at the location of the machine to be serviced, the routeman opens the cabinet and removes a full bag 16 in a manner to be described. When the full bag has been removed, the replacement bag carrying the assembly of member 44 and housing 88 is applied to the upper housing 20 by inserting the intermediate member in the housing at a position at which pins 36 and 40 are aligned with the entrances to the slots 92 and 90. Openings 50 and 52 permit the pins to enter the slots. As the intermediate member moves into the housing 20, the lock and key 28 are correctly aligned for reception of the key in the lock. It is to be noted that the location of the pairs of flats on member 44 and in housing 88 is such as to ensure proper orientation of the parts.

After the assembly of the intermediate member 44 and lower housing 88 has been inserted in the upper housing in the manner described, the assembly and the upper housing are rotated relatively through 90 as permitted by the pin and slot coupling. In the course of this operation, plate 78 is held by key 28 and the intermediate member andlower housing rotate through 90 to bring the parts from the broken line position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the full line position. It will be seen that in this full line position the plate flats 108 and 110 are aligned with the flats on the lower housing so that the intermediate member 44 is released from the lower housing 88. However, owing to the pin and slot connection the intermediate member is held between the upper and lower housings. At the same time, cutout 112 is adjacent to the coin passage 82, so that coins from the mechanism 10 move through entry 42 through the coin passage 82 past the shutter plate 78 and through housing 88 to the bag 16.

As will be clear from the explanation hereinbelow, when the full bag was removed dog 36 was moved to the broken line position shown in FIG. 4. In the course of the rotary movement of the assembly of the intermediate member 44 and lower housing 88 relative to the upper housing as the parts are assembled, extension 116 moves to a position in registry with the sub-housing 32. The parts are now fully assembled. Finally, the routeman, using a key other than a key corresponding to key 28, operates lock 34 to move dog 36 into slot 114 and withdraws his key. Thus the bag and the assembly of the intermediate member 44 and lower housing 88 cannot be removed to an unauthorized person. The operation of replacing the full bag with an empty bag is now complete.

Having replaced the full bag, the routeman now has a locked full bag to which he cannot gain access without damaging parts. This full bag is returned to the home office whereat an authorized person having a duplicate of key 28 can remove the intermediate member 44 from the coin bag and readily empty the bag.

On the next servicing'operation, when the replacement bag is full it is readily removed by the serviceman by first actuating lock 34 to move dog 36 to the full line position in FIG. 4 to permit the assembly of lower housing 88 and intermediate member 44 to be removed upon rotation through 90 in a direction opposite to that which was required to assemble the parts. In the course of that operation plate 78 moves relative to intermediate member 44 from the full line position shown in FIG. 5 to the broken line position shown therein. In that broken line position, intermediate member 44 is locked to the lower housing 88 and the shutter plate blocks passage 82. A new bag may then be placed on the coin mechanism.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a security device for coupling a coin mechanism to a coin receptacle while obviating the problem of pilferage by persons servicing the machine. My security device is simple in construction and in operation. It enables me to make use of the most advanced tamperproof lock constructions. It is relatively inexpensive as compared to security devices of the prior art.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may beemployed with-' out reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is,

. therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A security device for releasably coupling a money register to a'money storage chamber including in combination, a first housing adapted'to be secured to the outlet of said money register, a second housing adapted to be secured to said storage chamber, an intermediate member adapted to be received in said housings, said intermediate member forminga coin passage for connecting said housings, first interengageable means on said housings adapted to be actuated between a first position at which said housings are connected and a second position at which said housings are released, second interengageable means on said intermediate member and on said second housing adapted to be actuated between a first position at which said intermediate member and said second housing are free of each other to-permit removal of the intermediate member from said second housing and a second position at which said intermediate member is locked to said second housing, and means responsive to movement of said first interengageable means from said first position thereof to said second position thereof for concomitantly blocking said coin passage and actuating said second interengageable means from said first position thereof to said second position thereof to lock said intermediate member to said second housing.

2. A security device as in claim 1 in which means responsive to movement of said interengageable means comprises a key carried by one of said first housing and said intermediate member and a lock carried by the other of said first housing and .said intermediate member.

3. A security device as in claim 2 in which said lock comprises a shaft in which said means responsive to movement of said interengageable means comprises interengageable means on said lock shaft and on said second housing.

4. A security device as in claim 2 in which said lock comprises a shaft and in which said means responsive to said interengageable means comprises a shutter plate carried by said shaft for movement between a position at which it blocks said coin passage and a position clear of said coin passage, I

5. A security device as in claim 1 including means for ensuring that said second housing receives said intermediate member in only one relative position of the second housing and intermediate member.

6. A security device as in claim 1 including means for locking said interengageable means in the first positions thereof.

7. A security device as in claim 1 in which said means responsive to movement of said first interengageable means comprises a key carried by said first housing, a lock carried by said intermediate member and adapted to be operated by said key, said lock having a shaft movable between first and second positions in response to movement of said first interengageable means between the first and second positions thereof, and in which said second interengageable means comprises a shutter plate carried by said shaft for movement therewith between a position clear of said coin passage in the first position of said shaft and a position blocking said coin passage in the second position of said shaft, and interengageable means on said plate and on said second housing adapted to disengage in the first position of outlet of said money register, a second housing adapted to be secured to said storage chamber, anintermediate member formed with a coin passage adapted to connect said first and second housings, means for assembling said intermediate member and said second housing in a single relative rotary position thereof, said first housing adapted to receive the assembly of said intermediate member and said second housing for rotary movement, first interengageable means on said first and second housings for releasably securing said assembly to said first housing upon relative movement of said assembly and said first housing from a first position to a second position, a first lock'having a shaft carried by said intermediate member, a key carried by said first housing for engaging said lock upon insertion of said assembly into said first housing and for actuating said lock to rotate said shaft between a first position and a second position in response to said movements of said first interengageable means between its first and second positions, a shutter plate carried by said shaft for rotation therewith between a first position at which it is clear of said coin passage and a second position at which it blocks said coin passage, and second interengageable means on said plate and on said second housing adapted to engage in the second position of said plate for locking said intermediate member to said second housing, said first and second positions of said plate corresponding to the first and second positions of said first interengageable means.

9. A security device as in claim 8 including a second lock for releasably securing said first interengageable means in the second position thereof.

10. A security device as in claim 8 in which said assembling means comprises respective pairs of flats on said intermediate member and said second housing, said flats being spaced by less than 11. A security device as in claim 8 in which said first interengageable means comprises pins and slots. 

1. A security device for releasably coupling a money register to a money storage chamber including in combination, a first housing adapted to be secured to the outlet of said money register, a second housing adapted to be secured to said storage chamber, an intermediate member adapted to be received in said housings, said intermediate member forming a coin passage for connecting said housings, first interengageable means on said housings adapted to be actuated between a first position at which said housings are connected and a second position at which said housings are released, second interengageable means on said intermediate member and on said second housing adapted to be actuated between a first position at which said intermediate member and said second housing are free of each other to permit removal of the intermediate member from said second housing and a second position at which said intermediate member is locked to said second housing, and means responsive to movement of said first interengageable means from said first position thereof to said second position thereof for concomitantly blocking said coin passage and actuating said second interengageable means from said first position thereof to said second position thereof to lock said intermediate member to said second housing.
 2. A security device as in claim 1 in which means responsive to movement of said interengageable means comprises a key carried by one of said first housing and said intermediate member and a lock carried by the other of said first housing and said intermediate member.
 3. A security device as in claim 2 in which said lock comprises a shaft in which said means responsive to movement of said interengageable means comprises interengageable means on said lock shaft and on said second housing.
 4. A security device as in claim 2 in which said lock comprises a shaft and in which said means responsive to said interengageable means comprises a shutter plate carried by said shaft for movement between a position at which it blocks said coin passage and a position clear of said coin passage.
 5. A security device as in claim 1 including means for ensuring that said second housing receives said intermediate member in only one relative position of the second housing and intermediate member.
 6. A security device as in claim 1 including means for locking said interengageable means in the first positions thereof.
 7. A security device as in claim 1 in which said means responsive to movement of said first interengageable means comprises a key carried by said first housing, a lock carried by said intermediate member and adapted to be operated by said key, said lock having a shaft movable between first and second positions in response to movement of said first interengageable means between the first and second positions thereof, and in which said second interengageable means comprises a shutter plate carried by said shaft for movement therewith between a position clear of said coin passage in the first position of said shaft and a position blocking said coin passage in the second position of said shaft, and interengageable means on said plate and on said second housing adapted to disengage in the first position of said shaft and to engage in the second position of said shaft.
 8. A security device for releasably coupling a money register to a money storage chamber including in combination, a first housing adapted to be secured to the outlet of said money register, a second housing adapted to be secured to said storage chamber, an intermediate member formed with a coin passage adapted to connect said first and second housings, means for assembling said intermediate member and said second housing in a single relative rotary position thereof, said first housing adapted to receive the assembly of said intermediate member and said second housing for rotary movement, first interengageable means on said first and second housings for releasably securing said assembly to said first housing upon relative movement of said assembly and said first housing from a first position to a second position, a first lock having a shaft carried by said intermediate member, a key carried by said first housing for engaging said lock upon insertion of said assembly into said first housing and for actuating said lock to rotate said shaft between a first position and a second position in response to said movements of said first interengageable means between its first and second positions, a shutter plate carried by said shaft for rotation therewith between a first position at which it is clear of said coin passage and a second position at which it blocks said coin passage, and second interengageable means on said plate and on said second housing adapted to engage in the second position of said plate for locking said intermediate member to said second housing, said first and second positions of said plate corresponding to the first and second positions of said first interengageable means.
 9. A security device as in claim 8 including a second lock for releasably securing said first interengageable means in the second position thereof.
 10. A security device as in claim 8 in which said assembling means comprises respective pairs of flats on said intermediate member and said second housing, said flats being spaced by less than 180*.
 11. A security device as in claim 8 in which said first interengageable means comprises pins and slots. 